Distraction

I am making an effort not to talk so much about TTC these days.  It’s part of a bigger effort not to THINK about TTC, and so far, I think it’s working.  Sort of.

For example, I can tell you that I was so exhausted last week (possible virus? No good reason otherwise) that I actually had a whole dream devoted to drinking Diet Coke.  Everywhere I went in my dream, I had a huge fountain cup of diet coke to down.  I kept feeling really guilty for drinking all that Diet Coke and not enough water, but I sipped that caramel-colored, aspartame-laced carbonation anyway.

All I can say is this… you know you’re tired when you’re dreaming about caffeine.

I can also tell you that Catch is away with her students at a retreat in the mountains this week, so I’ve decided to spend a few days with my parents and turn my 45-minute commute into a 10-minute one.  That means that I actually have time after work to stop and do things like a) buy a new pair of pajama bottoms from Old Navy because I forgot to pack mine and I don’t think my parents will appreciate me walking around in my underwear, and b) pick up a new Moleskine because… 

While plying me with (two) mai tais on Friday night until I was beyond tipsy but not quite fall-down-drunk, Catch convinced me that I should participate in NaNoWriMo this year.

I presented her with the following logical reasons why she is bat shit crazy:

1. I am too busy. Work, work, blah, blah…
2. I have no creativity in my system right now. I haven’t even picked up my camera.  What the hell would I write about?

She responded by telling me that she will make sure I get time in the evenings to write, and offering that we can even go sit at Starbucks together like we used to so I can write and she can grade.  Then, she gave me a great idea to write about.

What could I say?  At that point, I didn’t have the focus or the energy to stay upright on my barstool and attempt to discredit my wife.   

The more I really think about it, the more I think it might be good for me.  I’ve missed writing.  I used to write constantly.  If you asked me what my hobbies were when I was 23, I would have said writing, online dating, and writing about online dating. And maybe increasing my tolerance for alcohol.  Now, I would say knitting, photography, and reading.  All worthwhile pursuits, but how did I ditch all of my old hobbies? 

Well, ok, I ditched online dating because I met Catch, and I didn’t really ditch the alcohol bit until we decided to start doing that thing I’m not supposed to be thinking, talking or writing about, but STILL.  (Yeah—I know there were mai tais in this story already—it’s been a rough month and I made an exception.)

So, NaNoWriMo it is.  30 days and 50,000 words starting November 1^st.  I did it back in 2004 and 2005 and SO enjoyed myself.  Maybe it will help take the edge off of the thing that we’re not talking about right now. 

Comments

[DeCaf]

I want to do NaNoWriMo this year. The only time I got really close to completing it was when I was in college during my undergraduate. I worked too much during grad school to even attempt.
I have almost none of the hobbies I used to:
- I don't watch anime anymore (it just bores me, I'm not sure why)
- I'm not trying to learn any languages
- I don't write fiction anymore
- I don't draw much
But I am happier, I have my wife and puppy to spend time with. I'm getting really good at scrabble too. :-)

[meridith]

Exciting! I've never managed to participate the whole month. Constructing plot is my downfall but I'm delighted to offer encouragement to you!

[Becca]

You should definitely do it. My spouse is a writer and she has been avoiding finishing her novel forever, so she decided as a way to cope with the emotions of TTC-ing she would participate in NaNoWriMo. She pulled up her manuscript she's been working on and is like totally absorbed in it, so seems to be an effective distraction. Even if you don't finish it, it might get some good mojo going.

[MamaDeux]

Oooh, NaNoWriMo! I have attempted it a couple different times but never finished it. I've thought about it this year, but maybe in the form of different "prompts," one a day or something. Anyway, good luck with it and with the distractions and the Clomid.